Refrigerator shelf



p 1935. I J. B. WHITTED 2,015,389

I REFRIGERATORSHELF Filed Dec. 18, 1935 2 Sheets- Sheet 1 i l l JO 1/ J4 J4 f l i "J6 screw-threaded member 20 within the bushing 22. It should be understood that at this time the cup-shaped member has not as yet been fastened to the screw-threaded member. Next I insert within the tubular member the spacer bar 32 and a compression spring 28. I then force the bushing 22, together with the screw-threaded member 20, into the end of the tubular member. Then in turn I press in the cylindrical cap 38 and screw the knurled thumb nut 36, over the screw-threaded member. After this I attach the cup-shaped member l8 to the screw-threaded member 20.

It will be understood'that variations from this method of assembly are permissible. I have indicated this one method in order to clarify the structure of my invention.

In the particular embodiment of my invention shown in this specification, I have provided on each end member l4 rotatable spools 39. These are journalled on pins 40 attached to the end members l6 by riveted-over ends 42. These spools are held in place by screws 44 and washers 46 and abut shoulders 48 formed integrally with the pins 40.

The shelf structure 50 of any conventional design is received between the spools at opposite ends of the frame l2 and it will be seen that the shelf may be inserted or withdrawn with only a minimum application of force because of the provision of the rolling spools.

To prevent complete withdrawal of the shelf structure 50, I have provided a stop member 52 which is clipped over a central bar 54 of the shelf structure 50, as shown in Figure 5. This stop member 521s formed of two sheet metal portions attached together by rivets 56. The extremity of the stop member 52 bears a hook like portion 58 which engages the front bar of the shelf framework l2. To prevent the turning of the stop member 52 about the central bar, 54, extensions tion to hold said frame in place within said refrigerator.

3. In a refrigerator shelf support, a pair of thrust members adapted to engage the side walls of the refrigerator, resilient means normally urging said thrust members outwardly to engage the refrigerator side walls, and locking means adjustably secured to said thrust members for preventing relative inward movement of said thrust members in order to hold said shelf support 10 against displacement.

4. In a refrigerator shelf support, a frame, spring-pressed plungers at each side of said frame urged outwardly to engage the side walls of a refrigerator and abutment members associated 15 with.each of said plungers and cooperating with said frame adapted to be adjusted after the shelf support has been initially positioned to prevent displacement of said shelf support by inward 60 are provided which engage strips 62 of the shelf structure 50. It will be seen that the stop member 52 may be manually turned into position 7 to use one shelf very often as a tray, that the describe.

stop member 52 may be entirely dispensed with.

While'I have thus described a preferred embodiment of my invention, other forms will of course suggest themselves without departing from the spirit of my invention. I do not intend to limit'myself to thisspecific embodiment I I claim:

' 1. In a refrigerator, a shelf support comprising a frame, thrust means at each side 'of said frame movement of said plungers.

5. In a refrigerator, a shelf support removably positioned within said refrigerator, spool-shaped rollers carried for rotation on vertical axes by said shelf support at each side thereof and a removable shelf slidably mounted within said 25 refrigerator by said rollers.

6. In a refrigerator, a shelf support therein, a shelf carried by and slidable with respect to said support and rollers rotatable on vertical axes for mounting said shelf on said shelf support, said 30 rollers having means to prevent vertical displacement of said shelf with respect to said 'shelf support.

7. In a refrigerator having up-raised portions upon imperforate side walls of alfood containing compartment, a shelf support therein having extensible cup-shaped members suitable for engagement with said up-raised portions, a shelf carried by, and slidable with respect to said support and rollers rotatable on vertical. axes for mounting said shelf on said shelf support, said rollers having means to prevent vertical displacement of said 1 shelf with respect to said shelf support.

8. In a refrigerator having indented portions upon imperforate side walls of a food containing compartment, a shelf support therein having extensible convexmembers suitable for engagement with said indented portions, a shelf carried by and slidable with respect to said support and rollers .rotatable on vertical 'axes for mounting said shelf on said shelf support, said rollers having means to prevent vertical displacement of said shelf with respect to said shelf support.

9. In a refrigerator food compartment, '2. series of spool-shapedrollers mounted in said compartment and at each side thereof for rotation on vertical axes, a shelf slidably mounted in said compartment between the flanges of the rollers at each side of said compartment, whereby said shelf is supported bythe lower flanges of said rollers and is held against tipping by the upper flanges of said rollers.

10. In a refrigerator f ood compartment, a shelf support removably supported in said compartment by engagement with the side walls thereof, a series of spool-shaped rollers mounted on and at each side of said shelf support for rotation on vertical axes, a shelf slidably mounted with respect to said shelf support between the flanges of the rollers ateach side of said shelf support, whereby said shelf is supported by the lower flanges of said rollers and is held against tipping by the upper flanges of said rollers.

JOHN B. wmmn. 

